What does a Breakthrough look like for you?

This one is for the performers and creators out there. Reflect and journal with me:

The dictionary defines a breakthrough as a sudden, dramatic, and important discovery or development.

So, I’m curious: When have you had a breakthrough in your work? What did it feel like?

How did that breakthrough change your process/how you work?

How did you integrate what you discovered into your practice? Was it an instantaneous and permanent shift? Or did you have to work at it, constantly re-orienting and growing towards change?

I love witnessing breakthroughs with my clients; the “click” when a discovery falls into place and unlocks some deep understanding. These catalysts for change are immediate and super satisfying! Unfortunately, that satifisaction does not last, which can decrease motivation to integrate what we discovered. Modern western culture often overvalues instant gratification at the expense of steady growth (looking at you social media).

Don’t let modern western culture fool you, having a breakthrough is very different than integrating that discovery into your practice and work. I’ll say that another way: discovery is a part of change, it’s not the whole process.

Annoyingly, the discovery is often instantaneous, the integration takes time. And the bigger the discovery, the more effort the integration. So if we’re only chasing those big breakthroughs, we might discount those smaller discoveries or loose track of our steady growth.

Luckily, this is a “both/and” problem, not an “either/or.” It’s both have those big breakthroughs, and appreciate those smaller discoveries. Both value those smaller integrations (that are much less effort), and continue to work towards the big change.

Me, I had the breakthroughs down. But before discovering The Resilience Toolkit, I didn’t have the embodied self awareness to value those small discoveries. I also didn’t know how effectively I was integrating. Instead I judged myself for not being where I wanted to be, for not having integrated that big click, etc, etc... The Toolkit has and continues to relieve me of that judgement. It encourages me to track and trust those integrations, to figure out how (and whether) they’re effective for me. It’s transformed my process, so much so that now I hold space for others in their practice as a Certified Resilience Toolkit Facilitator.

Maybe you have a different practice or framework that works for you, or maybe you’re seeking one, either way, I’ll leave you with this question:

Is a breakthrough truly a breakthrough if you do not integrate what you learn?

I honestly do not have the answer here. If you do, let me know here.

I’d like to thank my teacher Arrowyn Ambrose who prompted this question in me.